What Is A Fractional CFO?
A Fractional CFO is an experienced senior finance professional who provides strategic financial leadership to a business on a flexible, part-time basis.
As businesses grow, financial decisions become more commercially significant and complex. Many SMEs reach a point where reliable financial reporting alone is no longer enough; business owners and leadership teams need stronger strategic input to support growth, improve profitability, manage risk and make informed commercial decisions.
At Secantor, our experienced Fractional CFOs work alongside business owners and management teams to strengthen financial performance, improve forecasting, support funding requirements and build long-term business value.
You gain access to senior strategic financial leadership without the cost and commitment of employing a full-time Chief Financial Officer.
What Does a Fractional CFO Do?
Every business has different priorities, but Fractional CFO support typically focuses on five key areas.
Strategic financial planning
- Long-term financial strategy
- Forecasting and scenario modelling
- Board reporting and financial insight
- Commercial decision support
Profitability & growth strategy
- Profitability improvement
- Growth strategy and value creation
- Commercial decision-making
- Board reporting and KPI development
Cashflow, funding & banking
- Cash flow and working capital management
- Funding and banking relationships
- Financial modelling and forecasting
- Lender and investor reporting
Financial leadership
- Financial leadership for the management team
- Mentoring and developing finance staff
- Governance and financial controls
- Management information and KPIs
Acquisitions, investment & exit planning
- Business acquisitions
- Investor reporting and readiness
- Exit and succession planning
- Maximising long-term business value
Building value ahead of a sale requires planning well in advance. Read more about how to build business value that buyers truly pay for ↗.
Discover how a Fractional CFO approaches a new engagement from day one.
What does a Fractional CFO do in the first 90 days? ↗Related reading
Why every SME should have a Finance Director ↗ Key performance indicators in business ↗
Fractional CFO vs Fractional Finance Director
A Fractional Finance Director concentrates more heavily on financial control, reporting, finance operations, systems, processes and internal financial management. A Fractional CFO usually operates at a more strategic level, helping shape the future direction of the business and supporting major commercial and financial decisions.
Strategic financial leadership
Fractional CFO
Shapes the future direction of the business
- Strategic planning and growth strategy
- Funding, banking and investor relationships
- Financial modelling and forecasting
- Acquisitions and business valuation
- Exit and long-term commercial strategy
Financial control and reporting
Fractional Finance Director
Strengthens reporting, systems and internal control
- Management accounts and reporting
- Financial controls and processes
- Budgeting and cash flow management
- Finance function and systems oversight
- Day-to-day financial leadership
Explore Finance Director support →
In many SMEs, one experienced financial leader covers both operational and strategic responsibilities, depending on the needs and scale of the business.
When Do Businesses Typically Appoint A Fractional CFO?
Many SMEs appoint a Fractional CFO when financial complexity begins to increase faster than internal capability. A CFO helps businesses strengthen financial visibility, improve strategic planning and support more informed commercial decision-making. Common triggers include:
- Growth is accelerating
- Funding or investment is required
- Cash flow is becoming increasingly complex
- Strategic decisions carry greater financial risk
- The leadership team needs better financial insight
- The business is preparing for sale or investment
- The owner wants greater strategic support
Helping Businesses Plan Ahead With Greater Confidence
Strong financial leadership is not only about understanding current performance; it is about helping businesses understand the likely financial consequences of future decisions.
Our Fractional CFOs help SMEs build robust forecasts, cash flow models and long-term financial plans that provide greater visibility and support more confident decision-making. This includes:
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Scenario planning
- Growth modelling
- Funding planning
- Cash flow forecasting
- Profitability analysis
- Balance sheet planning
By understanding how strategic decisions may affect future profit, cash flow and financial stability, businesses are able to plan more effectively and grow with greater confidence.
What Does A Fractional CFO Look Like In Practice?
Many business owners understand the concept of a Fractional CFO but want to know what changes in practice once a CFO becomes involved.
In the early stages, this often includes improving financial visibility, strengthening forecasting, supporting strategic planning, improving cash management and helping leadership teams make more informed commercial decisions.
As the relationship develops, the CFO becomes an embedded part of the management team, helping the business navigate growth, funding, profitability improvement and long-term planning.
How Secantor Helped a £30m Recruitment Business at a Critical Time
“Secantor provided the senior business & financial support my fellow director & I needed at a very critical time for our company. I cannot recommend the incredible service we received highly enough”
CEO Of A £30m Turnover Recruitment Company
Our Fractional CFO Services
- Strategic financial leadership
- Forecasting and scenario planning
- Financial reporting and commercial insight
- Cash flow and working capital management
- Funding and banking support
- Profitability improvement
- Business performance improvement and turnaround
- Growth planning
- Strategic finance projects
- Exit and succession planning
- Finance team leadership
Flexible Support Built Around Your Business
Our Fractional CFOs typically work with clients from one to several days per month depending on the complexity and requirements of the business. Some clients require strategic board-level support alongside an existing finance team or Finance Director. Others require a more hands-on role during periods of growth, transformation or change. We tailor our support to provide the right level of expertise and involvement for your business.
Why Choose Secantor?
Experienced SME Commercial Leaders
Our CFOs have significant experience supporting growing SMEs across a wide range of sectors.
Practical, Hands-On Support
We focus on practical commercial improvement, not theoretical consultancy.
Part Of Your Leadership Team
We work closely with owners and management teams, becoming embedded within the business and supporting day-to-day decision-making.
Personally Accredited CFOs
Our CFOs are personally accredited by Secantor Directors and selected for their blend of technical expertise, commercial judgement and interpersonal skills.
Flexible And Cost Effective
You gain access to highly experienced strategic financial leadership without the cost of employing a full-time CFO.
Broader Board-Level Expertise
Where required, we can also provide access to experienced Finance Directors, Non-Executive Directors and Operations Directors.
Free Business Review
Every business is different, which is why we begin by understanding your business, your objectives and the challenges you are facing.
Our free business review gives you the opportunity to meet experienced senior advisors, discuss your business in confidence and gain independent commercial and financial insight.
Typically, two members of our team will visit your business to learn more about your operations, financial position and growth plans. Following this discussion, we will provide initial observations and recommendations, while also identifying the most appropriate support for your business.
This process allows you to experience how we work and provides valuable external perspective, even before any engagement begins.
Long-Term Relationships Built On Trust
We work closely with business owners and leadership teams, becoming a trusted part of the management team rather than an external adviser operating at a distance.
Many of our client relationships span several years, supporting businesses through growth, funding, operational change and long-term value creation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fractional CFOs
A Fractional CFO provides senior strategic financial leadership to a business on a flexible, part-time basis. They help businesses improve forecasting, strengthen cash flow management, support funding requirements and make more informed commercial decisions without the cost of employing a full-time Chief Financial Officer.
Fractional CFOs are ideal for SMEs experiencing increasing financial complexity but without the requirement for a full-time CFO. At Secantor, we typically support businesses with £3m–£50m turnover, although we also work with ambitious smaller businesses and larger organisations requiring flexible strategic financial leadership.
While the roles often overlap within SMEs, a Fractional Finance Director typically focuses more heavily on financial control, reporting and day-to-day financial management, while a Fractional CFO operates more strategically across funding, growth and long-term commercial decisions.
Yes. The roles are complementary but different. An accountant typically handles compliance, tax and statutory reporting, while a Fractional CFO focuses on strategic financial leadership, forecasting and commercial decision-making.
This varies depending on the needs of the business. Some SMEs require only one or two days per month, while others need more regular involvement, particularly during periods of growth, funding or change.
Yes. Fractional CFOs frequently support businesses with banking relationships, funding applications, investor readiness and the financial modelling required to support these discussions.
Yes. A CFO can help improve financial reporting, strengthen commercial performance and prepare the financial information that buyers and investors expect to see.
Yes. Many SMEs benefit significantly from strategic financial leadership at a stage where a full-time CFO is not yet required or justified.
We can often introduce an experienced Fractional CFO within a short timeframe, depending on the specific needs and circumstances of the business.
Our CFOs are personally accredited by Secantor Directors and selected for their commercial judgement, technical expertise and ability to work closely with business owners as part of the leadership team.
Costs vary depending on the complexity of the business, the level of involvement required and the specific objectives of the engagement.
We begin by understanding your business, objectives and current challenges, typically through a free business review, before identifying the right level of support for your circumstances.
Not quite found the answer you need? Contact our team – we’ll get back to you personally.
Interested in how senior support could help in other areas too? Learn more about our Non-Executive Directors and Outsourced Operations Directors.
Want to dive deeper? Check out our blog on How Can a Fractional CFO Transform Your Bottom Line? — it’s full of useful insights.
Other Terms Often Used For Fractional CFO Services
Businesses often use different terminology when searching for flexible senior financial leadership. A Fractional CFO may also be referred to as a:
While there can be subtle differences between these terms depending on the context and level of involvement required, they generally describe experienced CFOs providing flexible strategic financial leadership without the commitment of employing a full-time CFO. At Secantor, we tailor our support to the specific needs of each business.
Speak To Secantor About Fractional CFO Support
If your business would benefit from stronger strategic financial leadership, improved forecasting, better commercial decision-making or support with funding and growth, we would be glad to talk.
Arrange your free business review or contact our team to discuss your business.
What Our Clients Say
“Secantor has transformed a struggling company, but full of good people, into a very, very profitable company full of very, very motivated, happy, well-rewarded people and the future looks extremely bright”
Chairman Water Engineering Business
“Secantor has made a world of difference to our business - we are now in control. It's been a transformation within the business. It's a very cost-effective way for us to have high-level management and strategic help”
Helen Pattinson
Founder & MD Montezuma's Chocolates
“Secantor makes us make decisions. What we are getting is a whole world of advice. The cost has paid for itself 100 times over. ”
Richard Atherton
Founder & MD Juno Records
“Thank you so much for all your work for us. It has certainly been challenging and you always presented a calm front, which helped, along with brilliant work. Secantor provided the senior business & financial support my fellow director & I needed at a very critical time for our company. I cannot recommend the incredible service we received highly enough”
Owner & CEO
Global Recruitment Business
“An impact above all expectations. It is hard for me to express my gratitude for such a clear-sighted plan, so well implemented.”
Chairman 5th Generation Family Business
A huge thank you for introducing Secantor. Obviously you know how dismissive and sceptical I can be of professionals…… However, I found Secantor to be very approachable with excellent communication. Thank you, I’ve been impressed. From my perspective, I was immediately comfortable with their approach and the time they took to learn more about our business.
Steve Wood
MD Roy Wood Transits
“Previously I only saw the cost of administrators but the results of the improvements led by Secantor have completely changed my mind. I now see that each person's contribution creates the opportunity to make more profit”
MD Engineering Services Business
“Secantor has been instrumental in helping us secure our future, bringing great insight, experience and expertise to the management team. Our Secantor Executive has integrated perfectly into our senior team and with a fresh approach and external perspective has helped us transform the business.”
Mark
MD Manufacturing Business
"We have worked with Secantor for over 7 years, having initially appointed them to audit our business performance. Such was the beneficial input, we increased the scope of their appointment to provide MD coaching, development of financial reporting models, Non-Executive Director role and general independent business advice across a range of matters. We thoroughly enjoy working with the Secantor team who continue to provide a highly professional and bespoke service, allowing us to develop our business strategies, our teams, and processes. Without their invaluable advice and knowledge, I doubt the business would have made such significant gains."
Simon Lewis
Managing Director - Specialist Construction Business
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This guide is designed for ambitious SME owners who want to:
- Focus on what actually drives growth
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“Secantor has made a world of difference - we are now in control. It's a very cost effective way for us to have high level management and strategic help”
Helen Pattinson - Co-Founder, Montezumas Chocolates
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Our Services
We help you make strategic decisions
Secantor provides expert financial and management support to SME owners and directors. Our commercially experienced team covers the following roles.
Non-Executive Director
Strategic support and experience to guide you as you make decisions and build value in your business. A NED acts as a sounding board for your ideas, improves business performance, holds you and your team to account and helps you achieve a successful exit.
✓ Strategic business planning
✓ Support strategic decision-making
✓ Set business goals and objectives
✓ Rejuvenate struggling businesses
✓ Manage growth effectively
✓ Implement best practice
✓ Sounding board for your ideas
✓ Set and communicate vision
✓ Hold you & your team to account
✓ Build an effective management team
Finance Director
Expert financial leadership from a commercially experienced, qualified accountant. An FD will create financial plans, report your monthly performance against budget and interpret the figures to help you make sound decisions & improve profitability.
✓ Expert financial advice
✓ Interpret financial results a support decisions
✓ Develop & oversee your finance team
✓ Improve profitability & control costs
✓ Prepare management accounts
✓ Create 3-5 year financial plan
✓ Budget setting
✓ Source appropriate funding
✓ Cashflow forecasting & management
✓ Prepare reports & commentaries for your bank
Operations Director
Strategic operational leadership to transform your people and business processes to improve efficiency and profitability. An Operations Director helps you build a strong management team, delegate operational actions and improve business performance.
✓ Develop strength in your management team
✓ Establish key performance indicators (KPIs)
✓ Hold people accountable to achieve results
✓ Process and quality improvement
✓ Help you delegate effectively
✓ Create clear job descriptions
✓ Identify and recruit talent
✓ Implement robust operational systems
✓ Establish clear goals and expectations
✓ Enable your team to achieve excellence

